Brazil Will Deal With Neymar Loss, Insists Coutinho

Brazil and Barcelona schemer Philippe Coutinho insists that Brazil will be able to deal with the absence of Neymar for Friday’s friendly with Russia in Moscow and Tuesday’s match against Germany in Berlin.

Neymar will be out until May after undergoing surgery on a foot injury and the Seleção will have to find a way to play without him for the March international break. Coutinho told a press conference on Wednesday that Brazil have the quality to replace him.

“Neymar is a great player, very important for our team. We miss him, but we have to make up for it somehow. The Seleção has grown very collectively, that&#39;s the main point and we have to keep it that way.

“Tactically, I think it will be similar, some player will have to occupy his position, and whoever plays will have all the qualities to respond. For us, this preparation here is being important, to know the host country of the Cup, a little of the facilities.

“Let&#39;s play in this stadium and hope we can be there in the final, so we have to work very well. Continue to work at a high level in this final period to reach the decisive match and play in that stadium in July.”